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Thursday, 7 February 2008

Welcome to the Brown Rat Year.

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!Welcome to the Year of the Brown (Earth) Rat.

The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. If Pig years bring the theme of death-rebirth then Rat years bring us new cycles and fresh beginnings. Rat years are times of change, usually favourable. Rat people are smart, sociable, ambitious, energetic and born survivors and Rat years echo these traits.

It won't be a year for quiet contemplation, but it will be productive, especially anything related to relationships, career or finances. Rat years bristle with energy and activity. Rat people love to experience new things and travel to see new places so this year should see a very high number of people travelling: holidays, business trips, but even more likely changing jobs or towns, moving home or even immigrating. Socialising will be another theme. Rats love to talk, entertain and meet new people, so this year will see more interaction, more visits and more communication. Rat years are lucky, but only to those who are prepared. If any year will hand you that once-in-a-lifetime job offer or chance to seize your dream - it's a Rat year! This Rat year is Brown – an Earth element year. Earth years are slower and more “grounded”, but Rat tends to speed up every element. There will be exciting opportunities, but you will need to be prepared as well as patient. This will be a year for planned progress and worked-for rewards rather than instant success. A full busy year of socialising, networking, moving, doing and being active in every way.

18 comments:

A year of favorable change might be a good thing here in the United States, seeing it's a presidential election and the Democrats will make history in one way or the other since the last two democratic candidates are Barack Obama, a black man, and Hillary Clinton, a woman.

74wixygrad, I like the way your politics! Michelle, do you think it bothers Chinese if they are born in the Year of the Rat? You explain the qualities of someone born in that year very well as well as the symbolism behind the Rat. Yet, it's kind of hard (I would think) to beat the funky connotation that most people (especially in The Western World) have of the rat.

CliffWhichever way you look at this it's certainly going to be history-making elections.

I'm certainly hoping and praying for a good 2008! :-)

VinceI can't say how the Chinese feel about being born in Rat years, but I can say that I think the furry critters get bad publicity. I mean... they're smart, fast learners, adaptable and fantastic survivors. Plus very brave for their size. But yes, different cultures do see animals very differently. One example that amuses me - in the West we tend to revere the Lion as the "king of the jungle", but in Africa the lion is often considered evil in myths and legends. It is the leopard and/or the elephant who are the kings and rabbit and Mantis who are the smart and charming heroes.

CrystalTHank you for the link. I am smiling already. :-)

BlurAhh, that's nice. :-) I've met some lovely Rat people, especially lady Rats. They make the world a nicer place.

Interesting. It sounds true for me so far. I've begun to get busier than ever with my full-time Finnish course he he he he...;-D Plus I have to prepare for my lessons. Socializing, networking, moving, and being active is really something I should do this year he he he...

Well, I'm a Rat...and a Brown Earth Rat, to boot! If it means a good year financially for me...oh, baby, I'm ready! :o)

As far as how I feel about being a Rat...just fine. My partner's daughter had a pet rat who used to sit on my shoulder very sweetly and nibble my ear very gently while I sat at the computer. He was a fine fellow and good company, and raised the species greatly in my esteem.

Amias, one of my greatest role models was a wonnderful lady I met 6 years ago who was in the process of learning to be a herbalist... at the age of 82. The human spirit knows no boundaries, although admittedly our bodies do tend to argue that fact!

I hope this year brings you youthful joy, whatever age you may be chronologically. ;-)